#249 Man Monday: Phones at dinner, Overreacting, Face tattoos, Multi- Sport Athletes

Man Mondays: We talk about the things that matter to men and Dads. You ladies are welcome to join in as well.

91% of first round draft picks were multi-sport athletes in High School
Are you cool with your son/daughter getting a face tattoo?
As a man, sometimes your wife and kids are a gang, just ready to jump you.
I overreacted at Disneyland, and apologies were necessary.
LeBron James got saved by the very teammates everybody is always talking mess about.

#245 Jalen Hurts, Browns 2QBs, Cavs, Tiger – Changed:Rebranded

Alabama has a QB controversy on its hands. Jalen Hurts was a two year starter with a National Championship, but he may have lost his job in 30 min of play to Tua Tagoviloa

Cleveland Browns are considering taking two QBs with the #1 and #4 draft pick.

Cleveland Cavs won Game 2 of their series vs the Pacers, but are still in big trouble.

Is Tiger Woods a changed man or just rebranded?

College Football Betting: Five Over / Under Win Totals To Bet

College football season is so close that you can taste it. In a few short days, the pigskin will be flying and Lee Corso will be putting on headgear. All will be right in the world. College football season also means that gamblers can come out of hiding from the dog days of summer. Before the games begin, it’s time to place your futures bets on over/under win totals. Let’s take a look at five intriguing bets to consider.

*Note: The over/under totals represent regular season games only. Conference championships and bowl games are not included. All totals are taken from Oddshark.*

Georgia: O/U – 10.5 wins (-130)

Can the Georgia Bulldogs recapture the magic from last season and make the College Football Playoff? The Bulldogs have to replace a lot of talent on both sides of the ball with the big pieces being linebacker Roquan Smith and running backs Sony Michel and Nick Chubb. However, quarterback Jake Fromm, who is a future NFL prospect, returns with more experience so look for the offense to rely on his arm a little more this year. Plus, it’s not like this team is going to be falling off the face of the Earth with a rebuild. It’s not a rebuild, it’s a reload. Coach Kirby Smart is bringing in a 5-star recruiting class. Looking at the schedule, I see two potential hiccups: at LSU and vs. Auburn. I expect Georgia to win one out of the two and then run through everyone else. Bet the over. Georgia Over 10.5 wins

Washington: O/U – 10.5 wins (-145)

Since his arrival in 2014, Chris Petersen has brought the Huskies to two New Year’s Six games including a trip to the College Football Playoff (CFP) in 2016. The Huskies did not lose a lot of impact players and will return veteran quarterback Jake Browning and running back Myles Gaskin. This team has the potential to be very, very good. However, needing 11 wins from a team with the following games on the schedule is a tough pill to swallow: Auburn (in Atlanta), at Utah, at Oregon, vs. Stanford, at Washington State. Washington is going to be at the top of the Pac 12, but I see 10 wins in their future, not 11. Washington Under 10.5 wins

Notre Dame: O/U – 9.5 wins (+110)

If you hate Notre Dame, this is going to be a tough year for you. Notre Dame is going to fight for a spot in the CFP. I’m actually shocked the win total is set at 9.5. The biggest loss on the defensive side was their star defensive coordinator, Mike Elko, to Texas A&M. That being said, the defense is outstanding, ranking first in the country in terms of returning production. Plus, the offense still has Brandon Wimbush, Dexter Williams, and Myles Boykin carrying the load. What favors Notre Dame is their schedule. Most of their ranked opponents will travel to South Bend (Michigan, Stanford, Florida State) and they will be favored in most, if not all, of their games. Hammer the over. Notre Dame Over 9.5 wins

Missouri: O/U – 6.5 wins (-155)

If you don’t know a thing about Missouri football, that’s ok. All you need to remember are two words, Drew Lock. He is arguably the most explosive quarterback in the country, who threw for almost 4,000 yards and absurd 44 TDs. If you had no idea Lock played for Missouri, you might think he plays in the Big XII. Lock is putting up huge numbers against SEC defenses. The schedule is not easy with Georgia, South Carolina, and Alabama in three straight weeks. That being said, this team won 7 games last year. If Lock stays healthy, they have a chance to win every game. Missouri Over 6.5 wins.

TCU: O/U – 7.5 wins (-135)

I had to do a double take when I first saw this. 7.5 wins for a team that’s coming off an 11 win season? Expect that low total to be bulletin board for the best coach in the Big XII, Gary Patterson. The defense is going to be fine with defensive end Ben Banogu and linebacker Ty Summers up front. The quarterback and offensive line are giant question marks. Kenny Hill aka Kenny Trill is gone so now the keys to the offense belong to sophomore Shawn Robinson. Plus, the Horned Frogs need to replace four all-conference linemen. Notable games are Ohio State (in Arlington), at Texas, vs. Oklahoma, and at West Virginia. If the line holds up and Robinson is decent at best, TCU can win at least 8 games. TCU Over 7.5 wins.

Bob Wylie Continues to Steal the Show on HBO’s Hard Knocks

Let me start by saying this. I have no idea how many games the Cleveland Browns will win this year. I have no idea when Baker Mayfield will replace Tyrod Taylor as the starting quarterback.

However, I do know one thing. Bob Wylie is a star.

For the first time in awhile, the Cleveland Browns are a major story in the NFL thanks to Hard Knocks, a reality-sports television program on HBO that chronicles an NFL team in training camp. Teams like the Miami Dolphins, Houston Texans, and New York Jets have been featured on the program. This year, the Browns were chosen to be the featured team. The offseason has been full of promise despite not winning a game last year. With the additions of Tyrod Taylor, Jarvis Landry, and Baker Mayfield to go along with the return of Josh Gordon, the overall sentiment is that the Browns are on the upswing.

However, all of those storylines have taken a back seat to Mr. Electricity himself, Bob Wylie. Wylie is 67 years old and the current Browns offensive line coach. Wylie is old school to a T. He’s honest, in-your-face, and just loves the game of football. Wylie probably has no idea what an iPhone is and definitely watches the 6 o’clock news every night. He’s your cool drunk Uncle at a wedding that could make a tree talk. That’s how entertaining Wylie has been.

Last episode, Wylie went on a rant about stretching and somehow he made a comparison to soldiers storming the beaches at Normandy.

https://twitter.com/JeffDLowe/status/1032092614823161856

Laugh out loud funny. Wylie is a true football guy. He eats, sleeps, and breathes football. Fancy stretching? Take a hike. The jokes didn’t stop there as Wylie paid homage to Ferris Bueller. Oh, he also drives a white maserati because kings do king things.

I’m in tears watching his gut synchronized to the snap count.

Did I mention that Wylie is a MAGICIAN?

If the Browns make the playoffs this year, it will be because of Bob Wylie. Hopefully, when Hard Knocks is finished, HBO decides to follow Bob Wylie for the rest of the year. The world needs it.

Follow me on Twitter @danny_giro.

Pac-12 Preseason Rankings: Who Will Win The Conference in 2018?

The 2018 season is just days away, so it is time for the Pac-12 Preseason Rankings. I think we can all agree that it is time for the “Conference of Champions” to finally see another championship in football. This year, the conference has at least three legitimate threats to hoist the national championship trophy. The conference has the best cast of coaches from top to bottom in the history of the conference. The question is which one of them will be the first to get to the promised land? The Pac-12 Champion will likely have to be undefeated to make the College Football Playoffs because we have learned the BCS and now the playoff rankings favor the SEC and ACC.

South Division

Per the usual, the South division is up for grabs. There has been a different winner every year since 2013 with only one team winning it twice. The media loves USC to win the South but I disagree. I believe the division will have one of it’s best races since 2014. The division has added Herm Edwards, Chip Kelly, and Kevin Sumlin as coaches so you know the next few years will be intense.

1.Arizona (10-2)

Potential Losses: USC, Utah, Oregon,

I know I am in the minority here, but the door is wide open for the Wildcats to win the Pac-12 South. They avoid Washington and Stanford on the schedule. USC is breaking in a new quarterback, top running back, and wide receiver. Every other game in the south is winnable when Khalil Tate is your quarterback. If Kevin Sumlin can muster something that even resembles a good defense the Wildcats will win the South.

2. USC (10-2) 

Potential Losses: Texas, Stanford, Arizona, Notre Dame

USC is one of those rare places where a coach can go 21-6 in his first two full seasons and the jury still be out on him as a coach. Welp, that’s the reality when you get absolutely housed by Alabama, Notre Dame, and Ohio State in the process. The Trojans have a lot of turnover at key starter offensive positions (QB, RB, WR). Clay Helton will need to do his best coaching job yet to get all those 5* players to get him 10+ wins again.

3. Utah (7-5)

Potential Losses: Washington, Stanford, Arizona, USC, UCLA, ASU, Oregon

Do not be surprised if Utah either wins the South or finishes second. Since USC is vulnerable the Utes will have a “Why not us” mentality heading into every game. Last season Tyler Hunley showed he is a real difference-maker at the quarterback position. Utah is always one of the toughest teams in the Pac-12 and 2018 will be no different. Kyle Whittingham has been extremely close to getting his team “over the hump”. Could this be the year?

4. UCLA (6-6)

Potential Losses: Oklahoma, Washington, Arizona, Utah, Oregon, ASU, USC, Stanford

The Bruins are predicted by most to miss a bowl game and finish 4-5th in the division. I’d agree that Chip Kelly is short on the players to run his system, but he’s still Chip Kelly college football juggernaut. Do not be surprised by any “outlier” results from this team. All eyes will be on their week 2 matchup at Oklahoma. If UCLA wins that game… scary. I do believe that teams like Arizona, Utah, and Arizona State better seize the opportunity to get a Pac-12 championship this season. It will get a lot more difficult as UCLA gets this thing rolling.

5. Arizona State (6-6)

Potential Losses: Everyone except UTSA, Oregon State, Colorado

I have no idea how Herm Edwards will do record-wise as the head coach of the Sun Devils, but I do know they won’t be winning the South this season. He hasn’t coached in ten years and hasn’t been a college coach in three decades. I do know that he will develop his young men into high character men and his team will play hard. Arizona State is one of those rare places that is not a powerhouse but could be. Arizona is a state with a good amount of high school talent, and close enough to California and Texas to get some of their most talented players.

6. Colorado (4-8)

Potential Losses: Everyone except New Hampshire

With the exception of their 10-4 season in 2016, the Buffaloes have had little success since joining the Pac-12. The good news is that Colorado has Junior quarterback Steven Montez back under center. Their best chance to steal a couple of games are against Oregon State, Washington State, and Cal.

North Division

The Pac-12 North Division is one of the toughest divisions in all of college football. Whenever you have three teams that can win a division, you know it’s tough. The king of the castle for the last two years has been the Washington Huskies. There will be a dogfight this season between Washington, Stanford, and Oregon. The media showed a lot of confidence that Washington will win the conference in the preseason poll. However, I firmly disagree.Cal, Washington State, and Oregon State do not have a chance to win the division, but there will be no SEC November cupcakes when they are on the schedule.

1. Stanford (11-1)

Potential Losses: Oregon, Washington

Stanford is consistent and coached by the best coach in the Pac-12. The difference between last year’s Stanford team and this year is the quarterback position. If K. J. Costello can stay healthy, the combination of him throwing the ball and Bryce Love rushing could prove too much for the Pac-12 and may earn them a spot in the CFB Playoff top 4.

2. Oregon ( 10-2) 

Potential Losses: Stanford, Washington, Arizona

There is no team that has a wider variance for the number of wins than the Oregon Ducks. They have a new head coach, a potential #1 NFL draft pick at QB, a much-improved defense, but are coming off back to back disappointing seasons. The Ducks entire season hinges on two things: keeping Justin Herbert healthy and beating Stanford week 4. If Oregon beats Stanford, Washington will be on upset alert.

3. Washington (10-2) 

Potential Losses: Auburn, Stanford, Oregon

It is hard to pick against Washington because they are talented and well coached. I love Chris Peterson’s defense, but their Achilles heel this year will be the quarterback. Jake Browning is a quality college quarterback, but Stanford and Oregon field much better options at the position. If Jake Browning raises his level of play against top-tier opponents the Huskies can win the Pac-12 and National Championship. But, I have a little sneaky suspicion there will be chaos in the North.

4. Cal (7-5)

Potential Losses: Oregon, Arizona, Washington, USC, Stanford

I really like the improvement that Cal made last season. The Golden Bears will be even better in Justin Wilcox’s second season. However, their schedule is rough and they don’t quite have the horses to compete with the top 3 teams. I would not be surprised if Cal sneaks a win against one of their “losses”.

5. Washington State ( 5-7 )

Potential Losses: USC, Utah, Oregon, Stanford, Cal, Arizona, Washington

Washington State is in a tough position. Mike Leach runs the ‘Air-Raid’ offense, but they are without their expected starter Tyler Hilinski at quarterback. His suicide sent shockwaves through all of college football. We all have Cougar nation in our thoughts and prayers this season. If you ever need help or are considering suicide please call 800-273-Talk.

6. Oregon State (3-9)

Potential Losses: Everyone except Southern Utah

There is nowhere to go but up for the Beavers as they only managed a single win last year. New coach Jonathan Smith will have the team more competitive, but they still have a long way to go. Their only opportunities for conference wins this year are Cal and Colorado. The goal should be getting one of those.

Championship Game

Arizona vs Stanford

STANFORD WINS!

LeBron James – “More Than an Athlete” and an Inspiration to Young Athletes

“Shut-up and dribble” were words spoken to LeBron James earlier this year after he made comments criticizing President Trump. “Shut-up and dribble” is a sentiment shared by many sports fans who wish to see athletes remain in their athletic box and not use their platforms to facilitate change. James has refused to “shut-up and dribble” and has used his platform to show young athletes that it is possible to be “more than an athlete” by opening the I Promise School earlier this week. King James, regarded by many as the greatest athlete in the world, was “more than an athlete” when he, in conjunction with Akron Public Schools opened the I Promise School for at-risk youth in his hometown of Akron, Ohio. James opened the school with the vision of helping at-risk children overcome many of the same obstacles he faced at their age.

King James is destroying the “shut-up and dribble” mentality that refuses to acknowledge professional athletes as anything more than an athlete performing a sport for viewer pleasure, while simultaneously creating a paradigm shift in the mindset of young athletes and other at-risk youth. Young athletes, particularly those from at-risk neighborhoods, view their athletic abilities as a mechanism to escape adverse circumstances and rarely think of their abilities as a gateway to something greater than athletics. Young athletes fail to have a greater view because their professional athlete role models have complied with the “shut-up and dribble” mentality and have been reluctant to challenge the status quo in fear that such a challenge could cost them their job.LeBron James 'I Promise' School Info

LeBron James realized that his unique set of skills and abilities set him apart from other athletes and has placed him in a unique position to challenge the “shut-up and dribble” mentality and show young athletes that they too can be “more than an athlete.” Opening the I Promise School is the embodiment of being more than an athlete and is a direct demonstration of the accomplishments that young athletes and the youth in black, brown, and at-risk communities should strive to achieve.

LeBron’s example in opening the I Promise School may change the mindset of young athletes and black and brown youth alike by making them bolder in the pursuit of their education and endeavors outside of athletics. His example has shown young athletes that they do not have to be defined by their athletic abilities and should seek to establish an identity that is untethered to their athletic prowess. Witnessing the opening of the, I Promise School may broaden the minds of young athletes and black and brown youth by making them more independent in their thinking when it comes time choose a college and a major.

The opening of this school has provided young athletes and all at-risk youth with an example of how to give back to their community and establish an ownership interest in their community that can be used to create jobs and other opportunities that were not there before. Perhaps most importantly, LeBron’s opening of the I Promise School in the prime of his basketball career is a direct demonstration that it is possible to be socially conscious and socially active while dominating on the court.

The I Promise School is a game changer in every respect. It is destroying the rhetoric that athletes should simply stick to athletics. The school is offering hope to an at-risk community and is sparking a conversation that others similarly situated to LeBron James should follow suit and engage in similar endeavors in their respective communities. Most importantly, it has made an impression on the minds of young athletes and may inspire them to dream a different dream where they are not only superstar athletes but are also superstars in their communities and in the greater global society.